Brooklyn, NY - Thousands of men, women and children turned out this morning in Williamsburg to pay their respects to the president of the Satmar congregation, Reb Yitzchok Rosenberg, who died tragically yesterday in Miami.

As previously reported on VIN News(http://goo.gl/ECRR9A), the 67 year old Rosenberg was one of two men who drowned after being caught by a riptide while swimming at an unattended beach. 66 year Kiryas Joel resident Chaim Parnes was the second fatality in yesterday’s tragic events.

The streets around Congregation Yetev Lev were jammed with mourners who came to honor Rosenberg, a noted philanthropist and a pillar of the Satmar community, who was also a successful businessman and real estate developer.

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“Reb Yitzchok Rosenberg was a renowned askan who did more good than can ever be written about in one news article,” City Councilman David Greenfield told VIN News. “His tragic passing is an astounding loss for the community.”

Assemblyman Dov Hikind described Rosenberg as a “real mentsh” who had earned the respect of many.

“He was a very special person,” recalled Hikind. “He always had a smile on his face, was friends with everybody and he was warm. I think all of us are in shock.”

After the funeral in Williamsburg was completed, Rosenberg was taken to Kiryas Joel, where thousands more waited to pay their final respects before burial in the Satmar cemetery.

Social media has been flooded with expressions of condolences over Rosenberg’s untimely passing, including several from local elected officials.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the #Satmar community during this trying time,” tweeted Comptroller Scott Stringer.

“My deepest condolences to the Satmar Community on the tragic passing of President Rabbi Isac Rosenberg. My thoughts & prayers are with you,” wrote Public Advocate Letitia James.